Keep marching forward // Dnd stories/oneshots

Feel Guilty.

Ax's feet were sore. He was cold, hungry, and tired.

He doesn't remember how long it's been since he was able to rest, "just keep going" a whisper that has been repeated to him countless times by Kalroth.

He doesn't keep track of his age, that's Kalroth's job. He doesn't keep track of where he's going or where he's been, that Kalroth's job. He doesn't think of the things he's killed, that's Kalroth's job.

He watches as the familiar shadowy figure moves around him, making sure there's no one or nothing around that could attack Ax. Not that it's much of an issue, Kalroth would just possess him.

Using magic makes Ax feel sick. If there's one thing he remembered from that cult is that they want magic.

So, he doesn't use it. Not of his own volition at least. Kalroth makes him, just so Ax lives. However, at this point Ax is ready to give up, lay on the ground, and wait.

Why shouldn't he? They've got nothing going for him.

If they kept living what would change? Other than Kalroth not having a soul binding him to this realm.

Maybe he could join his mother.

Ax hadn't noticed he'd stopped moving. Not until Kalroth's voice broke his train of thought.

"c'mon." His tone was blunt.

How long had he heard that voice for now?

"Hey, Kid, you need to keep going" Now he sounded more concerned. But Ax still didn't move. "Do you need a break?" Kalroth asks, but Ax doesn't want a break he wants this to be over.

Ax watches as the shadow is enveloped in darkness and a humanoid male stands in front of him, arms crossed.

He supposed that would be shocking to someone who hadn't seen this before, but they'd seen this too many times to count.

Not like he knew how to count.

Teaching ax was not one of Kalroth's jobs.

Kalroth walked over to Ax, grabbing the teen's wrist. "c'mon, you'll get a break, but the middle of the woods ain't the safest. At least let us get to a clearing, yeah?"

Ax doesn't respond, just letting themself be dragged off by Kalroth.

Ax never talked much; he didn't see the point in meaningless conversation with a demon that talks enough for the both of them.

"Thought of a name yet?" was the first question Kalroth asked him today.

It was a no.

It's still a no.

Why would they need a name? It's just him and Kalroth.

When they made it to a clearing Ax lay down almost immediately, happy to just be off their feet.

"d'ya know what day it is today?" Kalroth asks a slight change in his tone. He sounded more like himself, happy.

Ax doesn't respond.

Kalroth practically deflates, sitting down beside where Ax lay.

"it's yer birthday," Kalroth says, poking the changeling's shoulder "Still no-name?"

They shake their head, closing their eyes.

"Well, you're 14 now, great job lasting this long. That's 10 years of being around me!" Kalroth grins, clapping his hands together.

"...okay" is the only response he earns; Ax does not care for "birthdays" why celebrate a life like this?

Why did Kalroth try?

"...can I sleep?"

"why're you askin'?"

Ax shrugs turning over, tomorrow would be the same. If he woke up at all.

And he did.

And they would for a good few more years.